Renowned Ghanaian visual artist Ibrahim Mahama is currently in a high-level meeting with the Police Management Board as investigations intensify into allegations of brutal assault by officers of the Ghana Police Service.
The incident is reported to have occurred on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, involving a team believed to be part of the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Unit, popularly known as the “Black Maria.”
Mahama, who is the CEO of Red Clay and founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA), has alleged that officers from the unit assaulted him and members of his team after he recorded them on his phone during a traffic situation near the Mariam Hotel junction.
He claimed the officers forced their way into his vehicle, deleted footage from his phone, and subjected him to a severe beating that resulted in injuries, including the loss of some teeth. Mahama has described the attack as “brutal” and has indicated he is considering legal action.
However, the team, led by DSP Abdul Bawa Jalil, has strongly denied any involvement in the alleged assault. The Northern Regional Police Command has stated that its personnel were not engaged in the incident and suggested the claims may stem from a different situation, such as an attempt to protect the artist from a mob. The police have described some circulating videos as doctored or misrepresented.
In response to the serious allegations, the matter has been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau for a thorough internal investigation into possible misconduct.
As part of efforts to get to the bottom of the claims and ensure accountability, the Inspector-General of Police has invited Ibrahim Mahama and the Northern Regional Police Commander to Accra. The high-level engagement with the Police Management Board is expected to shed more light on the circumstances of the incident.
Ibrahim Mahama has maintained that the assault occurred in broad daylight after Eid-ul-Fitr prayers and has rejected police assertions that the team was acting to rescue him or his group. He has shared graphic details and images of his injuries while speaking publicly about the ordeal.
